Nissan Altima Reliability

20,090 NHTSA complaints (1993–2025). Complaint rate: 125.6 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
232.4
Complaints
20,090
Crash Rate
6.2%
Fire Rate
1.6%
Injuries
1,074
Fatalities
21

Nissan Altima Generations

Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.

GenerationYearsComplaints
Gen 11993–1997744
Gen 21998–2001652
Gen 32002–20065,157
Gen 42007–20125,554
Gen 52013–20187,141
20132,975View→
20141,383View→
20151,192View→
2016778View→
2017498View→
2018315View→
Gen 62019–present842

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.

Bottom line: Avoid the 2012–2017 Nissan Altima (354 crash-related complaints). The 2021–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: POWER TRAIN.

Avoid These Years

2012–2017
~1,234/yr complaints · 354 crashes
2005–2010
~1,177/yr complaints · 336 crashes
2002–2003
~1,210/yr complaints · 102 crashes

Average

1995
~216/yr complaints
2000–2001
~201/yr complaints
2004
~334/yr complaints
2011
~317/yr complaints

Better Years

2021–2023
~60/yr complaints
1996–1999
~127/yr complaints
1993–1994
~135/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2025
64 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Nissan Altima?

A model's reputation is just the start.

Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check Any VIN FreeSee sample report →

Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA complaint count per model year

Nissan Altima — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 2013 (2,975)
08551,7112,5663,42119931996199920022005200820112014201720202023

Common Nissan Altima Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
POWER TRAIN1,9001.9%
AIR BAGS1,65918.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,5403.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,4753.9%
ENGINE1,4322.7%
STEERING1,3123.7%
STRUCTURE:BODY1,1954.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,0702.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1,0191.2%
SUSPENSION7503.5%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

YearGenerationComplaintsCrashesFiresDetails
1993GOODGen 1150253View→
1994GOODGen 1120372View→
1995Gen 12164911View→
1996GOODGen 1117275View→
1997GOODGen 1141407View→
1998GOODGen 2141203View→
1999GOODGen 2110293View→
2000Gen 2199346View→
2001Gen 2202292View→
2002AVOIDGen 31,3214143View→
2003AVOIDGen 31,0996116View→
2004Gen 3334183View→
2005AVOIDGen 31,3607123View→
2006AVOIDGen 31,0435818View→
2007AVOIDGen 45973929View→
2008AVOIDGen 41,3757322View→
2009AVOIDGen 42,1505515View→
2010AVOIDGen 45394013View→
2011Gen 4317188View→
2012AVOIDGen 4576405View→
2013AVOIDGen 52,97510419View→
2014AVOIDGen 51,3837411View→
2015AVOIDGen 51,1926111View→
2016AVOIDGen 5778434View→
2017AVOIDGen 5498328View→
2018Gen 531516—View→
2019Gen 6331407View→
2020Gen 62662710View→
2021GOODGen 698113View→
2022GOODGen 65083View→
2023GOODGen 6338—View→
2024TOO NEWGen 655132View→
2025TOO NEWGen 693—View→

See also: Nissan Altimaaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Nissan Altima?

Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.

Check VIN Free
Nissan Altima Years to Avoid (1993–2025) — Reliability, Problems & Best Years to Buy | VinItel